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Tips for the weekend

Leave early:
While taking the Metro to Thursday's game provided a nice discount on tickets, taking the Metro this weekend might take some extra time. Fans are encouraged to add at least 60 minutes to their travel time for all weekend games against the Dodgers.

Metro will be conducting weekend track maintenance on the Green, Blue, Orange and Red Lines. That work will likely cause delays for fans trying to get to Nationals Park.

Bring an umbrella:Yuck. Be prepared for rain delays. It's not looking pretty. Call 202-675-NATS and select Option 5 to hear the current status of the game. And check out this old Nats Buzz guide to surviving rain delays at Nats Park.

Get something free:
On Sunday, the first 10,000 kids will get a free Nationals cap.

Do a good thing:
On Saturday, fans are encouraged to bring children's books to the park for the team's inaugural Book Drive. Drop off new elementary level books at the Center Field Gate from 10:30 a.m. through the fourth inning.

All books collected will be donated to Everybody Wins! DC, a non-profit organization which promotes children's literacy by pairing students with reading mentors. The Nationals participate in this program during their lunch hour with students at Amidon-Bowen Elementary School.

And don't forget, you can still bring toothbrushes for the Smiles for Haiti campaign. Donate new toothbrushes at the Community Desk or at the Dream Foundation Kiosk.

For fans in the Diamond Club and President's Club:
"Inside Pitch Live," a new speaker series will take place in the PNC Diamond Club before the start of all Saturday home games starting this weekend. Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo, Assistant General Manager Bryan Minniti, Director of Baseball Operations Jay Sartori, and Assistant Director of Baseball Operations Adam Cromie will participate in a discussion about team operations and the business of baseball. Be there by 12:15 p.m. for the presentation.

Celebrate Screech's Birthday!
On Sunday, join a pre-game autograph session in Centerfield Plaza featuring lots of local mascots for Screech's birthday. During the game, there will be a cake ceremony on top of the 1st Base Dugout and later, Screech will take a shot at a piÃƒÂ±ata on the concourse level near the third base side.

Look for Claud from American University, Slapshot from the Washington Capitals, Doc from Towson University, Big George from George Washington University, Glory from the Washington Freedom, Testudo from the University of Maryland, the Cardinal from Catholic University, Poe from the Baltimore Ravens and Talon from DC United to be on hand for the celebration.